March 23 is a special day for meteorologists: Since 1950, the founding year of the World Meteorological Organization, the World Meteorological Day is being celebrated on this date. The day itself as well as the year that follows always have a special “motto”. This year’s motto is “Hotter, drier, wetter – Face the Future”.
On Wednesday, March 23, meteorologists around the world celebrate World Meteorological Day. This special day has its origins in the year 1950 when the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) was founded. “In the year of founding, 31 countries were involved, but the organization has grown ever since and now counts 191 member states”, says one of the MORECAST meteorologists. “Austria is part of the WMO since 1955.” The goals of the organization are to ensure a smooth and efficient global exchange of weather data as well as to globally promote meteorological research. In addition to that, the annual international World Climate Conference is organized by the WMO.
“Hotter, drier, wetter – Face the Future”
The World Meteorological Day as well as the following year is always put under a special motto by the WMO. In 2016, the slogan is “Hotter, drier, wetter – Face the future”. “This is in reference to the global increase in extreme weather events such as flooding or heat waves due to the ongoing global climate change”, says one of the MORECAST meteorologists.